The Pope and Us

From the April newsletter...

It was fascinating to watch the election of Pope Francis I. Not the process, specifically, because we weren't privy to most of that, but the way the press and the world reacted. Some folks posted things online like, "I'm not Catholic, so I don't care." Others wondered aloud why the news was covering the Pope's election so closely when they normally don't care about religious matters. (That's true—when United Methodists elect Bishops, no one from the secular press shows up generally.) But the Pope is not only a religious leader; he's a world leader as well, heading up the tiny country of the Vatican. I think that's, at least in part, why the press was so interested.

But I also think they're curious. Curious about people who don't just do things like the rest of the world do them. Curious about people of faith with deep convictions. Many observers press bemoaned the new Pope's position on various issues—positions which are, not incidentally, at the heart of Catholic doctrine and yet at odds with the rest of the culture. So, as one commentator put it, "They're upset at the Pope for being Catholic." Whether you agree with Francis' positions or not, you have to admire his consistency and his determination to uphold the church's doctrine and tradition.

That should cause us to ask if we have that same consistency. Do we have that same determination to be faithful to who we are as United Methodist Christians? Are we consistent no matter where we are—in public or in private? Bill Hybels wrote many years ago that it's not who we appear to be that matters, but "who we are when nobody's looking." Are we consistent then? Because it is in those moments that our character is determined. And it's then that Jesus can most shape us into who he wants us to be.

My prayers go our to Pope Francis as a brother in Christ. He has a tough job and a difficult road ahead. But I pray his example will call us all to greater faithfulness to the Lord whom we love and serve.

I'll see you Sunday at the faithfulness place!

Pastor Dennis